SOUTHEASTERN’S SBDC GAINS ADDITIONAL ACCREDITATION HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana
University’s Small Business Development Center has been reaccredited for
a four-year period by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network,
a division of the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Founded in 1986, Southeastern’s
SBDC provides area businesses and individuals and groups interested in
starting or expanding businesses with a variety of resources, including
assistance in marketing, finance and development of business plans. Housed
in Southeastern’s new Southeast Louisiana Business Center, it provides
training programs and free, confidential one-on-one consulting services
to potential and existing small business owners in Washington, St. Tammany,
Tangipahoa, Livingston and St. Helena parishes.
The center was visited last year
by a team from the Association of Small Business Development Centers. The
Washington, D.C.-based association conducted a series of on-site reviews
which led to the formal accreditation of the program. Accreditation is
required in order to receive federal funds for the center’s services.
“Provision of high quality services
is a priority of the LSBDC and a number of processes are in place
to ensure that all services are delivered at the highest quality,” said
Violet L. Liner, associate state director of LSBDC Network.
“Southeastern’s SBDC has assisted
more than 4,400 clients and has secured more than $134 million in loans,
capital and government contracts and subcontracts since its opening,” said
Bill Joubert, director of the Southeastern SBDC. “With this additional
accreditation, we will continue to receive federal funds to help build
the local economy for present and future generations.”
The LSCBD Network has 13 service
centers and annually provides counseling and training to more than 12,000
businesses and individuals. The LSBDC Network is a partnership between
the U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Department of Economic
Development and the state's universities.
For more information on Southeastern’s
SBDC or the Southeast Louisiana Business Center, call 985-549-3831 or email
sbdc@selu.edu.